Traffic Ticket Defense

 

traffic ticket in nj

Defending NJ Traffic Tickets since 1996

Joseph F. Morgano defends traffic tickets in all New Jersey municipal courts. If you were issued a traffic ticket, for a motor vehicle offense, we may be able to get your points reduced or eliminated. Points on your NJ driver's license may result in higher insurance rates and loss of license.

What are your options?

Assuming no court appearance is required, you will have the option to either pay the ticket or appear in court to dispute it.

What to expect in Court? 

If you decide to go to court and plead not guilty, you will be given the opportunity to speak to the prosecutor about your case.  If negotiations with the prosecutor fail, you will be given the opportunity to appear before the judge and have a trial. If you choose to have an attorney represent you, it will likely improve your chances of getting the points reduced or completely eliminated.  Initially, your attorney will discuss the case with the prosecutor, which typically results in an offer to plead guilty to a lower charge. The result is usually a reduction or elimination of points on your NJ driver's license.  Another benefit of having an attorney is that the process will go much smoother and faster.  Without an attorney, you will probably be in court for hours, depending on the caseload of that particular court.  An attorney will get you through the process much faster. This is because the court handles the attorney-cases first. The reason for this is because the NJ Supreme Court has instructed the municipal courts to handle all attorney-cases first. Although it may be tempting to pay your traffic ticket without appearing in court, there are benefits to hiring an attorney to defend your case.


Common NJ Traffic Tickets

Careless Driving (NJ Statute: 39:4-97) 2 Points

Reckless Driving (NJ Statute: 39:4-96) 5 Points

Failure to Observe Traffic Signal (NJ Statute: 39:4-81) 2 Points

Failure to Stop for Traffic Light (NJ Statute: 39:4-105) 2 Points

Failure to Observe Stop or Yield Signs (NJ Statute: 39:4-144) 2 Points

Improper U-Turn (NJ Statute: 39:4-125) 3 Points

Improper Right or Left Turn (NJ Statute: 39:4-123) 3 Points

Improper Turn at Traffic Light (NJ Statute: 39:4-115) 3 Points

Failure to Observe Traffic Lanes (NJ Statute: 39:4-88) 2 Points

Improper Passing in No Passing Zone (NJ Statute: 39:4-86) 4 Points

Speeding (NJ Statute: 39:4-98)

1-14 mph over the limit, 2 Points;

15-29 mph over the limit, 4 Points;

30 mph or more over the limit, 5 Points.


Driving While Suspended (NJ Statute: 39:3-40)

First Offense

$500.00 Fine; Up to 6 Months Loss of License; $750.00 DMV Surcharge; and 9 Insurance Points.

Second Offense

$750.00 Fine; Up to 6 Months Loss of License; $750.00 DMV Surcharge; Jail 1 to 5 days; and 9 Insurance Points.  If 2nd offense is within 5 years of the prior offense, than revocation of registration for duration of license suspension.

Third Offense

$1,000.00 Fine; Up to 6 Months Loss of License; $750.00 DMV Surcharge; Jail 10 days; and 9 Insurance Points.  If 3rd offense is within 5 years of the prior offense, than revocation of registration for duration of license suspension.

Accident Inolved With Personal Injury

45 to 180 days in jail if there is an accident involved which results in personal injury.

Accident Inolved With Serious Personal Injury

If there is an accident involved which results in serious personal injury, than it will be treated as a fouth degree crime (See Criminal Defense).  There will also be an additional 1 year loss of license.

Accident Inolved Where Death Results

If there is an accident involved which results in death, than it will be treated as a third degree crime (See Criminal Defense).  There will also be an additional 1 year loss of license.

If Suspension Was Due to Driving Without Insurance

If the reason a defendant was on the suspended list was due to driving without insurance, than a $500.00 fine; loss of license for 1 to 2 years; and jail up to 90 days.

If Suspension Was Due to DWI

If the reason a defendant was on the suspended list was due to a DWI, than a $500.00 fine; loss of license for 1 to 2 years; and jail for 10 to 90 days.

If Suspension Was Due to DWI Within a School Zone

If the reason a defendant was on the suspended list was due to a DWI, and is within a school zone, than a $500.00 fine; loss of license for 1 to 2 years; jail for 60 to 90 days for a first offense; jail for 120 to 150 days for a second offense; and jail for 180 days for a third offense.


Driving Without Insurance (NJ Statute: 39:6B-2)

First Offense

$300.00 to $500.00 Fine; 1 year Loss of License; $250.00 per year, for 3 years, DMV Surcharge; and community service for a period to be determined by the court.

Second Offense

$5,000.00 Fine; 2 years Loss of License; $250.00 per year, for 3 years, DMV Surcharge; community service for 30 days; and 14 days in jail.

If you were issued a traffic ticket in NJ, contact us for a free consultation.